Kate Middleton has been beaten to the title of favorite royal by a surprise winner in a new poll.
The Princess of Wales has lost her crown as Britain‘s most beloved royal family member, according to a surprising new poll that has reshuffled the popularity rankings.
For years, Middleton has dominated public opinion surveys, consistently earning the highest approval ratings among the British monarchy.
Her influence has been so significant that it spawned the term ‘Kate Effect’ – a phenomenon reported by Marie Claire where clothing items she wears instantly become bestsellers, often selling out within hours of her public appearances.
The Princess of Wales has been a fixture at the top of royal popularity polls since her marriage in 2011, maintaining her position even during challenging times, including her recent cancer diagnosis.
As recently as February this year, Kate still held the number one spot in similar polling.
However, YouGov‘s latest survey has delivered a surprising shake-up to the royal hierarchy. The comprehensive poll, which asked British residents for their opinions on various members of the royal family, revealed some unexpected shifts in public sentiment.
The survey found that 71 percent of Britons hold a positive opinion of the Princess of Wales – still an impressive showing that would secure her the top position in most circumstances.
Kate’s enduring popularity reflects her careful cultivation of public goodwill through her charitable work, relatable parenting moments, and sophisticated fashion choices that have made her a style icon.
Coming in at a respectable third place was Princess Anne, the hardest-working royal, who earned approval from 70 percent of respondents.
The Princess Royal, who turns 75 this week, has long been praised for her no-nonsense approach and tireless dedication to her royal duties.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the poll confirmed what many have suspected about the least popular royals.
Prince Andrew languished at the bottom with just 5 percent approval, his reputation continuing to suffer from ongoing controversies.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also struggled in the rankings, receiving only 28 percent and 20 percent positive ratings, respectively.
The survey revealed broader insights about British attitudes toward the monarchy.
Two-thirds of respondents (65 percent) said they wanted the U.K. to continue having a monarchy, while only 23 percent preferred an elected head of state.
Additionally, 59 percent of those polled believed the monarchy was beneficial to Britain.
King Charles III received a solid if unspectacular 59 percent approval rating, while the Royal Family as a whole earned 62 percent positive sentiment from the British public.
YouGov head of data journalism Matthew Smith noted that these results remained largely consistent with previous polling from May, suggesting stable public opinion about the monarchy despite ongoing challenges, per In Daily.
So who managed to dethrone the Princess of Wales from her long-held position at the top?
The answer may surprise royal watchers: it was her own husband, Prince William, who claimed the crown with an impressive 74 percent approval rating from British respondents.
The Prince of Wales’s rise to the top spot reflects his increased visibility and responsibility over the past year.
As he has taken on more solo engagements while supporting both his wife through her cancer treatment and his father through the King’s own health challenges, the public has witnessed a more personal and vulnerable side of the future monarch.
This authentic display of dedication to family and duty appears to have resonated strongly with the British people, finally propelling him past his popular wife in the royal rankings.
